Safety system for a motor vehicle, associated motor vehicle, and method for controlling a safety system for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a safety system for a motor vehicle ( 1 ), comprising a sensor ( 2 ) for predicting an imminent collision, which sensor is coupled to an evaluating unit ( 3 ), a control device ( 10 ) for triggering a first device ( 7, 9 ) at a defined first time before the predicted collision, which first device causes a rearward displacement of at least one vehicle occupant ( 4 ), wherein the control device ( 10 ) is designed to trigger a second device ( 8 ) at a defined second time before the predicted collision which follows the first time, which second device applies a counter force to the at least one vehicle occupant ( 4 ).

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A safety system for a motor vehicle, comprising:
 an evaluation unit; 
 a sensor, operably connected to the evaluation unit, for predicting an impending collision; 
 a first device configured to cause a rearward displacement of at least one vehicle occupant; 
 a second device configured to apply a counterforce upon the at least one vehicle occupant; and 
 a control device configured to trigger operation of the first device at a predetermined first time instance prior to the predicted collision to cause the rearward displacement of the at least one vehicle occupant, said control device being configured to trigger at a predetermined second time instance that follows the first time instance prior to the predicted collision operation of the second device to apply the counterforce. 
 
     
     
       2. The safety System of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second devices is configured such as to maintain the counterforce up to the collision. 
     
     
       3. The safety System of  claim 1 , wherein the first device includes a belt tensioner and/or an airbag. 
     
     
       4. The safety System of  claim 3 , wherein the belt tensioner is lockable as the counterforce is generated. 
     
     
       5. The safety System of  claim 3 , wherein the airbag has no or no open discharge opening as the counterforce is generated. 
     
     
       6. The safety System of  claim 1 , wherein the second device is configured as vehicle seat or backrest. 
     
     
       7. The safety System of  claim 1 , wherein the first time instance is 300 ms to 5 ms prior to the collision. 
     
     
       8. The safety System of  claim 1 , wherein the first time instance is approximately 100 ms prior to the collision. 
     
     
       9. A motor vehicle, comprising a safety system including an evaluation unit, a sensor, operably connected to the evaluation unit, for predicting an impending collision, a first device configured to cause a rearward displacement of at least one vehicle occupant, a second device configured to apply a counterforce upon the at least one vehicle occupant, and a control device configured to trigger operation of the first device at a predetermined first time instance prior to the predicted collision to cause the rearward displacement of the at least one vehicle occupant, said control device being configured to trigger at a predetermined second time instance that follows the first time instance prior to the predicted collision operation of the second device to apply the counterforce. 
     
     
       10. The motor vehicle of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the first and second devices is configured such as to maintain the counterforce up to the collision. 
     
     
       11. The motor vehicle of  claim 9 , wherein the first device includes a belt tensioner and/or an airbag. 
     
     
       12. The motor vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein the belt tensioner is lockable as the counterforce is generated. 
     
     
       13. The motor vehicle of  claim 11 , wherein the airbag has no or no open discharge opening as the counterforce is generated. 
     
     
       14. The motor vehicle of  claim 9 , wherein the second device is configured as vehicle seat or backrest. 
     
     
       15. The motor vehicle of  claim 9 , wherein the first time instance is 300 ms to 5 ms prior to the collision. 
     
     
       16. The motor vehicle of  claim 9 , wherein the first time instance is approximately 100 ms prior to the collision. 
     
     
       17. A method of controlling a safety system for a motor vehicle, comprising:
 predicting the presence of an impending collision; 
 triggering operation of a first device at a predetermined first time instance prior to the predicted collision to cause a rearward displacement of at least one vehicle occupant; and 
 triggering operation of a second device at a predetermined second time instance that follows the first time instance prior to the predicted collision to apply a counterforce upon the at least one occupant. 
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of the first and second devices is configured such as to maintain the counterforce up to the collision. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 17 , wherein the first device is a belt tensioner and/or an airbag, with the belt tensioner being locked as the counterforce is generated, or with the airbag having no or no open discharge opening as the counterforce is generated. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 17 , wherein the second device is a vehicle seat or a backrest.